Piece of furniture

ABSTRACT

A frame has transversely spaced frame portions which are suitably connected with one another. Elongated flexible support webs are carried by the frame extending in parallelism with one another and with the frame portions. Flexible tubular sections of synthetic plastic material extend transversely of the frame portions from one to the other, being located in parallelism with each other and arrayed lengthwise of the frame portions. Sheetmaterial strips are each connected with the end portions of the tubular members located adjacent the respective frame portions; these sheet material strips extend lengthwise of the respective frame portions and are secured to the same.

Unite taies stem Kurz [54] PECE 0F FURNI [72] Inventor: Rudolf Kurz, Bissingen, Germany [73] Assignee: Kurz GmbH, Bietigheim, Germany [22] Filed: June 23, 1970 [211 Appl. No.; 49,034

[45] June 6,1972

Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner- Philip C. Kannan Attorney- Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A frame has transversely spaced frame portions which are suitably connected with one another. Elongated flexible support webs are carried by the frame extending in parallelism with one another and with the frame portions. Flexible tubular sections of synthetic plastic material extend transversely of the frame portions from one to the other, being located in parallelism with each other and arrayed lengthwise of the frame portions. Sheet-material strips are each connected with the end portions of the tubular members located adjacent the respective frame portions; these sheet material strips extend lengthwise of the respective frame portions and are secured to the same.

15 Claims, 5 D`ravwing Figures PATENTEUJUH 61m 3,667,532

SHEET 1 UF 2 INVENTOR: ,www Ms PIECE or FURNITURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to furniture, and more particularly to leisure-time furniture such as garden furniture, beach furniture and the like which may or may not be foldable. v Furniture of the type in question is known in a considerable variety of different types and constructions. All of them have, however, certain characteristics in common. Thus, these pieces of furniture are comparatively light in weight which usually means that the frame is of tubular steel or aluminum, and instead of heavy materials for the seat and back of chairs, lounges and similar furniture pieces, strips of webbing, sections of tubing or the like are utilized. Of course, the use of webbing and tubing has an additional reason, namely they are usually of synthetic plastic material with the intention being to minimize damage to them by the elements when thefumi'ture is le exposed for a considerable period of time as is the case with garden or beach furniture, and'with leisure furniture in general.

The invention will hereafter be described with reference to a folding piece of furniture but it would be applicable also if the furniture is of the non-folding type. ln any case, itis known to make furniture of the general type here in question with a frame having a pair of transversely spaced frame portions and suitable transversely extending connectors which connect the frame portions and establish a rigid frame. This frame may be of one or more sections and it may or may not have legs or analogous support means. In any case, it is common to provide tapes or webs which are arranged in parallelism with one another and with the transversely spaced frame portions and which are firmly secured to the frame. Then synthetic plastic tubing is wound about the frame transversely to the frame portions so that it is convoluted about them, and where this tubing overlaps the webs it is connected-as by heat-welding-to the same. ln these constructions there is provided at both the upper and the underside ofthe frame a plurality of closely adjacent sections of the synthetic plastic tubular material. The disadvantage in making constructions of this type resides in the fact that the application especially of the tubular material to the frame is both time-consuming and expensive. It is necessary to mount the frame in a jig and then to wind the plastic tubular material about the frame so that it extends from one frame portion to the other at the underside as well as at the upper side of 'the frame. This not only requires a relatively complicated winding apparatus but also necessarily requires `the use of large quantities of the tubular material. Aside from this there is the fact that after the winding is completed the individual convolutions of the tubular material must be manually adjusted so that they are tightly located next to each other. This of course adds to the manufacturing expense.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has as its general object to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved piece of furniture of the type here under discussion which is not possessed of these disadvantages.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a piece of furniture wherein the winding of the tubular material is avoided and the necessity for winding apparatus is eliminated.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a piece of furniture wherein the quantities of tubular material required for providing the seat or back or analogous parts of the furniture is substantially reduced, and more particularly by at least half of what is known in the prior art.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such a piece of furniture wherein the provision of the tubular synthetic plastic material to the frame can be carried out in substantially less time than was heretofore necessary,

ln pursuance of the above objects and others which will become apparent hereafter one feature of the invention resides in a piece of fumiture, particularly in a folding chair or lounge, in a combination which briefly stated comprises frame means including a pair of transversely spaced frame portions and connecting means rigidly connecting such frame portions. A plurality of elongated flexible first members are fixed to the frame means and extend in at least substantial parallelism with the frame portions. A plurality of flexible second members are arrayed in parallelism with one another lengthwise of the frame portions and rst members and are lelongated transversely thereof. Each of second members overlies the first members and is connected to at least someof the same with its spaced end portions being inwardly proximal to the respective frame portion. Finally, a pair of sheet-material strips is provided each of which is fast with and extends lengthwise of one of the frame portions. These strips each have two superposed lateral longitudinal margins connected in stress-transmitting relationship with the respectively adjacent end portions of the second members.

-It will be clear that with this construction only a single layer of the flexible tubular second membersis provided, namely at the normally upper side of the frame, that is the side which supports an object or, in the case of a chair or lounge, a human body. The second layer which in conventional constructions is located at the normally underside of the frame and contributes little or nothing to the supporting ability, is eliminated. Evidently, this results in a significant saving of material. Moreover, the remaining layer now consists of individual cutoffs or sections of the flexible second tubular members and these can be readily connected with the flexible first members and with the sheet material strips to form an assembly which can be produced entirely aside from the production of the frame, so that such assemblies can be maintained in stock and fixed to a frame when desired or necessary.

While it is possible to provide the end portions of the individual sections of the individual second members with hooks or similar means and to secure them to the transversely spaced spaced frame portions of the frame, it is much more advantageous in accordance with the present invention to connect all end portions of the second memberslocated along either one of the two frame portions with a single connector, namely one of the sheet-material strips. The sheet-material strips are then connected with the respectively associated frarne portion and their length is advantageously the same or at least substantially the same as that of the frame portions themselves.

lt will be appreciated that the sheet-material strips can be of various different configurations. For instance they may be of semi-circular or otherwise part-circular cross-sectional configuration and may be rigid so that they can be placed about correspondingly congurated frame portions in a manner analogous to clips or hooks. I prefer, however, to make the sheet-material strips flexible and they may consist of fabric such as linen or another suitable material, advantageously a synthetic plastic foil. The reason for the preference for the synthetic plastic foil is that it can be readily welded to the end portions of the flexible tubular second members which also consist of synthetic plastic material. The sheet-material strips can then be connected with the frame portions for instance by means of screws threaded through them andA into the frame portions at locations longitudinally spaced with reference to the frame portions. To avoid that tensile forces acting upon the sheet-material strips cause tearing of the latter where they are penetrated by the screws or analogous fastening means, it is advantageous to provide the sheet-material strips with a thickening or other reinforcement in the region where they are penetrated by the screws or similar means. This can be done of course by providing foil strips which are specially formed with thickened reinforced portions. However, it is of course a matter of economy to be able to use commercially available synthetic plastic foil of the usual type, that is without these thickenings or reinforcements. Therefore the reinforcements can be provided in a very simple manner by folding the sheet-material strips transversely of their elongation so that each strip is folded back upon itself` with its opposite longitudinally extending margins located in super-imposed relationship. Between these margins the end portions of the flexible tubular second members are accommodated and secured as by welding, and the reinforcement can then in a very simple manner be provided by inserting into the fold formed by the doubled-up strip a stiffening or reinforcing member, preferably of the same length as the sheet-material strip and being in form of a rod or a strip which need not necessarily be planar in cross-section. Such a reinforcing strip can of course be configurated so as to conform to the outer conformation of the respective frame portion and the connecting means such as screws or the like and can be threaded through the reinforcing strip and into the respective frame portion. It is also possible, however, to simply fold the respective sheet-material strip around the associated frame portion and thereupon to secure as by welding the thus-superimposed lateral longitudinally extending margins to the associated end portions of the flexible second tubular members.

The flexible second tubular members are also connected as by welding with the flexible first members where they cross the same. Advantageously and in accordance with the present invention such welding is so carried out that portions of the flexible second tubular members which are located at opposite sides of a respective first member which they cross remain in communication with one another. This makes it possible for air to circulate through the entire length of the respective flexible second tubular member which is desirable.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional ob` jects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from thefollowing description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding lounge according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 isa detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the portion of the lounge in FIG. 1 which is surrounded in that Figure by the chain-line crcle;`

FIG. 3 is a section Vtaken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view analogous to FIG. 4 but illustrating yet an additional embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail and firstly the embodiment in FIGS. 1-3, it will be seen that the lounge shown in FIG. l has a middle portion l0, a head portion 12 and a foot portion 14. The portions l2 and 14 are connected with the portion by means of suitable articulated joints. These latter also permit pivotable movement of the supports or legs 18 and 20 so that the latter can be tilted with reference to the portion 10 and the portions 12 and 14 can similarly be inclined with reference to the portion l0 as desired. The portion 14 may be provided with an additional support corresponding to the one identified with reference numeral 2G but not illustrated.

Reference numeral 24 identifies in toto the cover applied to the frame of the illustrated lounge, this frame being composed of three sections corresponding to the portions 10, l2 and 14. The portion 10 has two transversely spaced frame portions 26 and 28 which are connected by the legs or supports 18 and 20 and are thus rigid with one another. Two similarly transversely spaced frame portions 30 and 32 are provided in the portion 14 and two transversely spaced frame portions 34 and 36 are provided in the portion 12. The frame portions 30 and 32 are rigid with one another by provision of a transverse portion 38 and the presence of the support 20, whereas the portions 34 and 36 are rigid with one another by virtue of the presence of the transverse portion 40 and the support 18. The various frame portions, including the legs or supports 18 and 20, are in conventional manneralthough not necessarily--made of tubular metallic material such as aluminum or steel.

The head portion 12 and the foot portion 14 are each provided in a manner already known from the art with two pocket-like covers 44 and 42, respectively. In other words these covers--of` which the cover 44 is more clearly shown in FIG. 2are closed on three sides and open at the fourth side so that they can be slipped over the respective head portion 12 or foot portion 14 as illustrated. Secured tothe covers 42 and 44, which may consist of fabric, synthetic plastic material or another suitable material, is a plurality of elongated flexible first members in form of tapes or strips which may but need not consist of synthetic plastic material and are identified with reference numerals 46, 48 and 50. These extend between the covers 42 and 44 lengthwise of the total frame of the lounge in parallelism with one another and with the transversely spaced frame portions 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34, 36. They are advantageously connected as by heat welding or the like with the covers 42 and 44.

There is further provided a three-section layer 52 of tubular transversely extending second members on the portions 10, 12, and 14, respectively. These are arranged in close parallelism with one another (compare FIG. 2) anayed lengthwise of the elongation of the frame and extending between the respective transversely spaced frame portions. The individual sections of tubular synthetic plastic material are identified with reference numeral 54 as shown in FIG. 2. Their transverse opposite ends are located inwardly spaced proximal to the respective frame portion in accordance with the present invention. The end portions located adjacent one frame portion are all connected by the connecting means according to the present invention, and the same is true of the end portions adjacent the other frame portion.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment how such a connection is effected. Here, like reference numerals identify like elements as in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be appreciated that only a single connecting arrangement is shown in FIG. 3 whereas in actual fact there will of course be two each associated with the end portions of the tubular sections 54 adjacent the respective frame portions. The connecting arrangement is in form of a sheetmaterial strip 56 which is advantageously of synthetic plastic material but need not be of this material. It is flexible as illustrated and is folded around the frame portion 34 so that its marginal longitudinal portions 58 and 60 overlie one another in superposed relationship. Accommodated between these portions 58 and 60 are the end portions of the tubular sections 54 (only one illustrated). The marginal portions 58 and 60 are connected as by heat welding with the end portions of the tubular sections 54.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 shows that it is also possible not to place the strip-shaped portion or sheet-material strip 64 around the frame portions. Instead, the sheetmaterial strip 64 is folded back upon itself transversely to its elongation and its superimposed marginal portions 58 and 60 are again connected by welding with the end portions 62 of the respective tubular sections 54. In this embodiment the region of the sheet-material strip 64 which is provided with the fold is partly placed around the respective frame portion and introduced into the fold is a rod-like reinforcing member 66. This is intended to reinforce the fold portion 68. Screws 70 are threaded into the associated frame portion to anchor the sheet-material strip 64 thereto. Stress acting upon the sheetmaterial strip 64 in the direction towards the right-hand in FIG. 4 will draw the reinforcing member 66 against the screws 70 so that a tearing of the material of the strip 64 in the region of its penetration by the screws 70 is avoided.

Finally, in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 the sheetmaterial strip is identified with reference numeral 72 and is foldedin the same manner as the strip 64 in FIG. 4. However,

in FIG. 5 the reinforcing member 66 has been replaced with a strip-shaped reinforcing member 74 which in the illustrated embodiment is curved to correspond to the outline of the frame portion. In this embodiment the screws 76 are threaded directly through the reinforcing member 74 into the frame portion. y

Of course, other means than the screws can be provided for securing purposes, and the reinforcing element 74 could be curved so as to resemble a greater part of a circle and be hooked over the frame portion rather than being secured by screws or analogous means. Similarly, the sheet-material strips could be of rigid material as already pointed out to permit such hooking.

lt is also clear that with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1 the covers 42 and'44 could be omitted and the members 48 and 50 could be secured to the frame in other manner than via the covers 42 and 44.

ln accordance with the present invention a highly advantageous manner of making a piece of furniture of the type under discussion is to produce and assemble the frame separately, whether it be of one section or of three as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. l. The entire cover is separately produced as a complete assembly which is then secured if and when to the frame. The production of this assembly can be simply accomplished by positioning the members 46, 48 and 50 on a suitable support, and placing upon them in transverse direction a requisite plurality of the tubular sections 54 in the desired position. The members 54 are then connected as by heat welding to the members 46, 48 and 50- which can be accomplished in a single operation--and at the same time the sheet-material strips 56, etc., can also be secured to their opposite end portions.

In fact, each of the sections 54 may be a part of a long tubular hose and the sections 54 may simply be severed from the remainder of this hose before, during or after the welding which connects the sections 54 with the members 46, 48 and 50. This can be carried out by suitable machinery which is well known for this purpose. The hoses themselves can be supplied for feeding purposes on a common elongated roller or the like on which they are wound in individual coils and from which they can be withdrawn as required. Of course, the withdrawing of material from these coils, the positioning and the connecting of the various elements with one another by welding or in other manner can also be carried out manually if desired.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a piece of furniture, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended'claims:

l. In a piece of furniture, particularly in a folding chair or lounge, in combination, frame means including a first pair of elongated transversely spaced frame portions and a second pair of transversely extending frame portions connecting said first pair of frarne portions to each other; a plurality of elongated flexible discrete first members extending substantially parallel to said first frame portions; a plurality of elongated flexible discrete second members extending substantially parallel to said second pair of frame portions and overlying said rst members fixedl connected to at least some of the same, and having space end portions respectively inwardly proximal to said first frame portions; a pair of sheet material strips fast with and extending lengthwise of said first frame portions, each of said strips having two superimposed lateral longitudinal margins connected in stress-transmitting relationship with the respectively adjacent end portions of said second members; and means connecting said first members in stresstransmitting relationship to the respective second pair of frame portions.

2. In an article of furniture as defined in claim 1, wherein said means connecting said rst members in stress-transmitting relationship comprises envelope-like cover portions which can be slipped over the frame means at the regions of its transversely extending portions.

3. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame portions are of tubular cross-section.

4. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim l, wherein said second members are sleeve-shaped and of annular cross-section.

5. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 4, wherein said first and second members are of synthetic plastic material.

6. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim l, said strips each having a strip portion which at least in part embraces the respectively associated frame portion.

7. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1; and further comprising a plurality of welds connecting said first members with said second members, and connecting said end portions with the respective strips.

8. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim l, said strips and said second members being composed of a weldable synthetic plastic material, and wherein said end portions are each located between said lateral margins of the respectively associated strip; and further comprising welds connecting said end portions with the respective margins.

9. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, said strips each embracing the respectively associated frame portion.

l0. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, said strips each being bi-folded transversely to their respective longitudinal extensionand each having a longitudinal fold extending along the associated superposed lateral margins; at least a pair of elongated stiffening elements each received in and extending lengthwise of the respective fold; and securing means securing the respective stiffening element to the Aassociated frame portion.

1 l. ln a piece of furniture as defined in claim 10, said securing means comprising screws fast with said stiffening elements and threaded into the associated frame portion.

12. ln a piece of furniture as defined in claim 10, said stiffening elements having a length at least substantially the same as the length ofthe associated strips.

13. In a piece of furniture as defined-in claim 10, said stiffening elements being rod-shaped.

14. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 10, said stiffening elements being strip-shaped.

15. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 14, said frame portions having an outer profile of predetermined configuration, and said strip-shaped stiening elements having a complementary mating profile. 

1. In a piece of furniture, particularly in a folding chair or lounge, in combination, frame means including a first pair of elongated transversely spaced frame portions and a second pair of transversely extending frame portions connecting said first pair of frame portions to each other; a plurality of elongated flexible discrete first members extending substantially parallel to said first frame portions; a plurality of elongated flexible discrete second members extending substantially parallel to said second pair of frame portions and overlying said first members fixedly connected to at least some of the same, and having spaced end portions respectively inwardly proximal to said first frame portions; a pair of sheet material strips fast with and extending lengthwise of said first frame portions, each of said strips having two superimposed lateral longitudinal margins connected in stress-transmitting relationship with the respectively adjacent end portions of said second members; and means connecting said first members in stress-transmitting relationship to the respective second pair of frame portions.
 2. In an article of furniture as defined in claim 1, wherein said means connecting said first members in stress-transmitting relationship comprises envelope-like cover portions which can be slipped over the frame means at the regions of its transversely extending portions.
 3. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame portions are of tubular cross-section.
 4. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, wherein said second members are sleeve-shaped and of annular cross-section.
 5. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 4, wherein said first and second members are of synthetic plastic material.
 6. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, said strips each having a strip portion which at least in part embraces the respectively associated frame portion.
 7. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1; and further comprising a plurality of welds connecting said first members with said second members, and connecting said end portions with the respective strips.
 8. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, said strips and said second members being composed of a weldable synthetic plastic material, and wherein said end portions are each locaTed between said lateral margins of the respectively associated strip; and further comprising welds connecting said end portions with the respective margins.
 9. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, said strips each embracing the respectively associated frame portion.
 10. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 1, said strips each being bi-folded transversely to their respective longitudinal extension, and each having a longitudinal fold extending along the associated superposed lateral margins; at least a pair of elongated stiffening elements each received in and extending lengthwise of the respective fold; and securing means securing the respective stiffening element to the associated frame portion.
 11. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 10, said securing means comprising screws fast with said stiffening elements and threaded into the associated frame portion.
 12. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 10, said stiffening elements having a length at least substantially the same as the length of the associated strips.
 13. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 10, said stiffening elements being rod-shaped.
 14. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 10, said stiffening elements being strip-shaped.
 15. In a piece of furniture as defined in claim 14, said frame portions having an outer profile of predetermined configuration, and said strip-shaped stiffening elements having a complementary mating profile. 